Abandoned dog rescued after 3-year vigil at empty home

Nov. 15, 2012
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by Michael Winter, USA TODAY

by Michael Winter, USA TODAY

For three years, a chow named Chen faithfully waited outside the empty suburban Atlanta home his owners had abandoned with him.

His devotion finally paid off. Chen has new home, though hundreds of miles away in Ohio, WXIA-TV reports.

Chen hung around the front yard and often slept atop the carport of the Gwinnett County house. He scavenged food from the garbage at a nearby Kroger's supermarket.

"He was waiting and waiting for his people to come home," Lisa Renstrom of Chap's Chow Rescue told the station, owned by Gannett, USA TODAY's parent. "The people on either side would throw rocks and try to chase him away. He would not leave."

Finally, after several weeks of food and soft talk, Renstrom collared Chen and began looking for a caring guardian.

Enter Ben Rupp, who had recently lost his 13-year-old chow mix and was looking for a new companion. He spotted Chen's photo online. After a few phone calls, Rupp booked a private plane and headed to Georgia.

"I hope he'll be happy," Renstrom said as she she gave Chen one final kiss at airport. "He deserves all the happiness."